Sedgemoor calls for tougher firework restrictions to protect vulnerable residents and animals

Sedgemoor District Council has called for tougher restrictions on fireworks in a bid to protect pets, livestock and vulnerable residents.

Somerset West and Taunton Council voted in mid-December 2020 to write to the government asking for noise restrictions on fireworks sold to the public, and called for residents to give more notice to neighbours regarding displays.

Sedgemoor District Council could follow suit in the coming weeks, with numerous councillors raising concerns about noise disturbances in the rural parts of the district.

A motion on this matter will come before the full council to be debated later in February.

The RSPCA has been encouraging local authorities across the UK to take action on this issue, putting forward a draft motion with the following proposals:

1. All public firework displays within the local authority's boundaries should be advertised in advance of the event, allowing residents to take precautions for their animals and vulnerable people
2. The council should actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks
3. The council should write to central government urging them to introduce legislation to limit the maximum noise level of fireworks to 90dB for those sold to the public for private displays
4. The council should encourage local suppliers of fireworks to stock 'quieter' fireworks for public display

The RSPCA claims on its website that around 62 per cent of dogs show "signs of distress" as a result of fireworks, along with 54 per cent of cats and 55 per cent of horses.

The British Horse Society has reported 20 deaths, ten severe injuries and 88 mild to moderate injuries to horses involving fireworks since 2010.

The issue was debated at a virtual meeting of the council's community scrutiny committee yesterday evening (February 8).

Councillor Bill Revans (who represents the North Petherton ward) said tighter restrictions would help people with PTSD as well as protecting people's pets and livestock.

He said: "I have dogs. If it's November 5, I know it's happening and I can take measures to ensure they're okay. It is when it is unannounced that it is difficult.

"We should look to lessen the impact on farming livestock and the vulnerable. It is a matter of good neighbourliness."

Councillor Liz Scott (Axevale) said: "I get an awful lot of complaints and have first-hand experience of animals being scared – we lost a dog because it was frightened by fireworks.

"I live near Cheddar Reservoir – someone let off fireworks in the middle of the night, and we heard all the birds come off the reservoir.

"It's clearly upsetting all the wildlife. A lot of the fireworks sold now sound like mortar bombs."

Councillors were divided as to whether any new legislation could be enforced, and thereby whether a change in the law would achieve anything.

Councillor Alan Bradford (North Petherton) said: "It's all very well having all these rules and laws – but who's going to police it?

"It's a bit like double yellow lines – you can put them down where you like. It's okay to bring all these laws in, but unless someone in authority is there when you need them, then the law becomes a bit of an ass, if I'm honest.

"We're all got to live with each other and no-one wants to be upsetting their neighbours."

Councillor Li Gibson (Bridgwater Eastover) said: "If the fireworks weren't as loud, that would be a way to get around it.

"You wouldn't have to police it, since the fireworks that went on sale wouldn't be as loud."

While the government currently advises people to notify their neighbours in advance of any firework display, there is no set number of days' warning in law that they must give.

The committee voted unanimously to bring forward a motion to full council on this matter, with a couple of minor amendments to the RSPCA's suggested test.

This motion will be debated at the next full council meeting, which is due to be held virtually later in the month.